Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 11(6), pp. 949 - 962
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110606
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Rethinking Solid Waste Disposal, Ecosystem Upsetting: Impacts on Soil Productivity in Southeast, Nigeria


Osuji E. E. 1,*, Opaluwa H. I. 2, Ben-Chendo G. N. 3, Ukoha I. I. 3, Nwachukwu E. U. 3, Osuji M. N. 3, Ibeagwa O. B. 3, Iroegbu C. S. 1, Orji J. E. 1, Anyanwu U. G. 3, Okpara B. O. 4, Ahamefule B. A. 4, Nse-Nelson F. A. 4, Nzeakor F. C. 5, Offor E. I. 4, Iwezor-Magnus D. N. 4, Maduike I. A. 3, Obi-Nwandikom C. O. 3
1 Department of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria
2 Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Nigeria
3 Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Nigeria
4 Department of Agricultural Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nigeria
5 Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

An examination of solid waste disposal in Southeast Nigeria was conducted, considering its ecosystem disturbances and impacts on soil productivity. A total of 416 respondents were selected using a multi-stage and purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and interview schedules. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, charts, principle component analysis and a probit regression model. Results show respondents produced various forms of solid wastes such as kitchen/food waste (100%), paper/cellophane (77%), textile (52.2%), and plastic (98.3%). About (70%) of the respondents produced solid waste at a maximal level, (21%) at minimal and (9%) at moderate levels. Major hazards caused by poor solid waste disposal include health issues (100%), land pollution/soil productivity loss (99.5%), climate change (99%), and air pollution (98.3%). Waste disposal in the zone includes open burning (17%), dumping in gutters and water bodies (9%), storage in tanks/landfills (17%), and dumping at designated sites (22%). Solid waste disposals could be improved via public awareness, government policy formulation, and implementation. Age, gender, distance to designated refuse sites, education, participation in waste disposal training, and solid waste disposal laws were significant determinants of solid waste disposal in southeast, Nigeria. The study implies that inefficient solid waste disposal disrupts ecosystems and biodiversity and causes health-related issues. Good environmental policies should be formulated and enacted to abate indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes in undesignated locations and sites in Southeast, Nigeria.

KEYWORDS
Solid Waste Disposal, Management, Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Soil Productivity

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Osuji E. E. , Opaluwa H. I. , Ben-Chendo G. N. , Ukoha I. I. , Nwachukwu E. U. , Osuji M. N. , Ibeagwa O. B. , Iroegbu C. S. , Orji J. E. , Anyanwu U. G. , Okpara B. O. , Ahamefule B. A. , Nse-Nelson F. A. , Nzeakor F. C. , Offor E. I. , Iwezor-Magnus D. N. , Maduike I. A. , Obi-Nwandikom C. O. , "Rethinking Solid Waste Disposal, Ecosystem Upsetting: Impacts on Soil Productivity in Southeast, Nigeria," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 11, No. 6, pp. 949 - 962, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110606.

(b). APA Format:
Osuji E. E. , Opaluwa H. I. , Ben-Chendo G. N. , Ukoha I. I. , Nwachukwu E. U. , Osuji M. N. , Ibeagwa O. B. , Iroegbu C. S. , Orji J. E. , Anyanwu U. G. , Okpara B. O. , Ahamefule B. A. , Nse-Nelson F. A. , Nzeakor F. C. , Offor E. I. , Iwezor-Magnus D. N. , Maduike I. A. , Obi-Nwandikom C. O. (2023). Rethinking Solid Waste Disposal, Ecosystem Upsetting: Impacts on Soil Productivity in Southeast, Nigeria. Environment and Ecology Research, 11(6), 949 - 962. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110606.